I have been lurking for about a month on these lists as I figure out what car to buy. I have decided on the RX-8 and am ready to buy.

Originally, I was looking at a blue RX-8's but they seem to be in short supply. The dealer I have been working with has one in stock with the options I want, but it seems it has been used for quite a few test drives (89 miles on the odometer). I would like to stay with the same dealership, but I am worried about the odometer reading (esp. if I cannot get a discount on it).

I am wondering what kind of discount I should try to get in the negotiation (or even if I should be buying a car that has been tested approximately 20 times). I would probably be keeping the car at least 8 years.

Car would be Manual, Grand Touring, black interior, no appearence package.

Thanks for your advice,
Jason

 

Jason, for what it's worth, I think that if you can afford the extra money to buy a new car, I'd recommend avoiding test cars, especially since you plan on keeping the car for a very long time. I had a friend who once test drove a Volvo automatic--alone-- and accidentally put it in reverse while going forward at about 25 miles an hour. The wheels made this horrendous noise. He quickly put it back in drive and returned it to the dealer.

 

Ditto the recommendation against test drive cars. Most are driven hard for short trips without proper warmup. That doesn't sound like a good way to break in the engine.

I've heard some are getting invoice plus $2k on new cars. The wait may seem long but I think it will be worth it.
________
Bondage Cam

 

i test drove a yellow six speed and redlined it quite a few times ,drove it for about 1hour and it was the hardest hour ever put on that car went back and told the dealer he had a deal but bought the blue one i wanted origianlly.

 

Thanks for everyone's replies. The dealer has located an identical car, on another lot with 30 miles on it.

I think this is a much better deal and have signed the papers. I am taking delivery on it tomarrow.

Thanks

 

I haven't had any luck finding the car I want that doesn't have any miles on it. None of the dealerships in my area have the color and options I want in a car that doesn't have less than 50 miles on it. They've ALL been test driven several times. And the two dealerships I spoke with didn't seem interested in "special" ordering me one. Both dealerships said they have already placed their final order for this model year. They would just as soon see me walk out the door than special order me one. I had $500 cash in hand for a deposit. I guess I'm waiting for the '05 too.

 

Iwanta8,

Have you tried the inventory search on the Mazda website? Sometimes dealers are in the mode of trying to sell everything on the lot and are too lazy to try to trade with a dealer in the next state. It's worth a try if your deposit money is burning a hole in your pocket.

 

I believe mine had something like 6 miles on it when I got it. I agree with everyone else that if you're wanting to keep the car for a long time, then I wouldn't buy a test drive or demo car either. If you're like me and only keep cars as long as the standard warranty lasts, then I can't see where it would matter too much.

Anyhow, since mine (and others that I've seen at dealerships) had under 10 mi on the odo, I'd think 30 is a bit high. Then again, maybe it's different for different states (?).

 

alamike- I haven't tried the inventory search. Maybe that should be my next step because I really don't WANT to wait until September or October to get the car. But I am willing to do that if I can't get what I want.

The way I left one dealership was with the sales person trying to sell me an AT. It was identical to what I wanted, only without the MT. He said since my daily driving wouldn't push this car to the limit, I wouldn't be able to appreciate the difference in performance or horsepower with the manual. I just looked at him like he was an idiot and walked off. It's one thing to try the "bait and switch", but it's another think all together to insult my intelligence like that.

 

Iwantan8,

There are seven Mazda dealers in the KC area (60 mile radius). Your odds are good that one will have a MT like you may want. The Inventory data base is down for maintenance right now. But the dealers with their phone numbers are listed.

 

Mine had 7 miles when I got it.

I've been to two dealerships that test drove any car on the lot, and the sales people were bragging how the dealership wanted them aquainted with the cars, so they regularly took any car off the lot for personal use.

Needless to say, I didn't buy from those dealerships. I bought from Ferman Mazda in Tampa who only had one car to test drive on.

 

Most well run dealers will only have one, possibly two demos of each model. Although, I'm sure if they found you as a very intersted buyer they would let you drive the specific car you were interested in.
I also agree with the members who stated to stay away from purchasing demo models as well as cars being sold new but with more than just deliver miles as it is too tempting for people not try and redline the car the hasn't been broken in yet. They just got to hear what that 9K buzzer sounds like. Good luck in your search

 

Remember that the Inventory Search on the Mazda web site is not 100% accurate. Make sure to call and verify the VIN# before you drive to the dealer.

Although I am not ready to buy yet, I tried to locate the car I want (for some pervese reason). I tried Springfield, MO; Columbia, MO; St Louis; Tulsa; Little Rock; Memphis; Springfield, IL; Chicago; Omaha, NE; Topeka, KS; and Witchita, KS. I don't even know if all of those cities have Mazda dealerships, I just tried all of the major cities that I could think of. That search turned up 3 vehicles (1 close match 364 miles away and 1 exact & 1 close match 527 miles away from my house).

Good luck finding what you want. If you can't order an '04, you may have to wait for the 2005's.